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Chapter 243: Remaining at School
Chapter 243: Remaining at School
Chapter 243: Remaining at School
The next morning, Felix Harp didn't expect his intuition to come true so quickly. He remembered that he wasn't particularly skilled in Divination, right? Well, it's hard to say. He had dropped Divination classes back then because Professor Sibyll Trelawney always seemed to be playing tricks with the mystical.
At that time, Professor Sibyll Trelawney had only been teaching at Hogwarts for a few years and hadn't yet established her stable teaching style as she has now. Sometimes, she tended to go a bit overboard.
And now Felix was in the limelight – his fame was immense and came with its fair share of troubles. It happened to be a good choice for her to make a name off him. Trelawney had once spouted a dozen prophecies for him in one breath, although not a single one turned out accurate.
...
Felix saw Professor McGonagall and the toad-like Umbridge standing face to face by the spiral staircase. Professor McGonagall's expression was far from pleasant, her lips compressed into a thin line.
"Umbridge... the Inquisitor! I must remind you that Dumbledore does not allow Dementors to enter the school. A little over a month ago, there was a dreadful incident when Dementors stormed the Quidditch pitch."
Umbridge stepped up a stair, realizing she still wasn't quite tall enough. She took another step to stand a bit higher, looking down at Professor McGonagall with a falsely sweet smile. "Professor McGonagall, I have no intention of letting Dementors in. I despise those unsettling creatures as much as you do. To be honest, it reminds me of the unfair treatment I suffered in my early years when I was just an intern."
"But luckily, I proved my capabilities and earned my position, despite my distant relation to the Selwyn family... I've achieved what I have today through my own efforts."
Professor McGonagall made a "hmph" sound from her nose. "I only hope that once you've achieved your position, you won't seek revenge disproportionately. From what I know..." she didn't continue.
Umbridge seemed to not hear that part. She put on a saccharine smile. "Considering the dangerous fugitive Sirius Black is still on the run, I hope – on behalf of Minister Fudge – that Hogwarts could host a small outpost, to signify the Ministry's concern for Hogwarts. Of course, there won't be Dementors, only myself and two Aurors."
Professor McGonagall said dryly, "I haven't received any notice from Dumbledore."
"I can wait," Umbridge said amiably, waving her hand. "For the safety of those lovely, innocent little ones, I don't mind wasting a bit of time."
Professor McGonagall stared at Umbridge, her chest heaving visibly, clearly infuriated.
"Excuse me, Miller?" Felix descended the stairs and brushed past Umbridge.
Professor McGonagall stepped back two paces, giving him room. Felix's tall frame conveniently stood between Umbridge and McGonagall.
Felix winked at Professor McGonagall, and for a brief moment, a hint of a smile appeared on her face. But she quickly composed herself, growing more serious. A similar situation had occurred during last year's Christmas party when Filch used himself as an example to tell her a dwarf joke.
"Cough cough! Sorry," a pretentiously clear throat sounded behind him. Felix seemed to just notice her. "You're still here? I thought your conversation had concluded."
"And who might this be?" Umbridge's expression wasn't great.
Professor McGonagall didn't show any intention to introduce her. Apologetically, she said to Felix, "Felix, could you do me a favor? I need..." She glanced at Umbridge. With Umbridge standing on a step, slightly taller than her, Professor McGonagall's gaze landed on the pink cardigan Umbridge was wearing, and the bow embroidered on her collar. She uncomfortably looked away.
"I need you to accompany this Ministry investigator."
"What do you need me to do?" Felix asked.
"Collect the list of students staying at school for Christmas. You only need to handle Gryffindor House, and Percy Weasley can assist you," Professor McGonagall handed him a piece of parchment. "Just have the young wizards fill out the forms. If I can spare the time this afternoon, I will come over."
"No problem, Miller," Felix Harp said with ease. He inclined his head slightly to both of them, his gaze landing on Umbridge as he added, "The outfit complements you well, madam."
Umbridge looked at him incredulously, pointing at his retreating figure with her chubby finger. "Who is this person?"
Felix overheard Professor McGonagall say in a cheerful tone, "Clearly, he's a professor at Hogwarts..."
He followed the spiral staircase up and arrived at the common room of Gryffindor House. However, the entrance was blocked by the portrait of the plump lady. She had a stern expression. "Password."
Felix hesitated for a moment and tentatively said, "Luck is on your side?" He recalled that Gryffindor's passwords often had something to do with "luck."
"That's not it," the plump lady rolled her eyes. "Though you're a professor, without the password, I can't let you in. It's a rule. Who knows if you're not Black in disguise."
Felix, quite interested, said, "Forgive me, madam – I've always wondered, do you remember anything about Black's time at school?"
The plump lady seemed insulted. She let out a shrill scream, "Of course, I remember..." She rambled on, and Felix smiled, going along with her words, "Is that so?"
"And such a troublemaker he was..."
After about ten minutes, the door to the common room was pushed open from the inside, and Neville walked out, carrying his book bag.
"Neville, are you heading to the library for self-study?"
Neville seemed startled and stammered, "Professor Harp? Yes, oh no, I'm going to the greenhouse – I mean, Professor Sprout's place."
Felix nodded understandingly, "Right, what's the password for your House?" As he spoke, the plump lady had already closed the door with a "thud," showing an expression of someone enjoying a show.
Neville's round face froze, and he very slowly glanced at Felix, then looked at the closed door to the common room. He helplessly stuck his hand into his pocket.
Starting from the first pocket, he moved to the second, from his robes to his undershirt, from his cloak to his pants. Then he opened his book bag, which emitted a fresh earthy smell from within.
From a corner, Neville found a small piece of paper. Excitedly, he read aloud, "Lucky star shines bright, it's 'Lucky star shines bright'!"
The plump lady pursed her lips. "I wanted to chat a bit longer with you." She rotated, making way, and the door to the common room opened.
Felix suddenly thought of something, "Neville, are you staying at school for Christmas?"
"No, my grandmother wrote to have me spend the holiday at home." Neville answered, unconsciously clutching his book bag.
"Understood, Neville."
Felix stepped into the common room's door, where voices were bustling.
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